Folding table and means for detachably connecting the same to a support



Aug. 25, 1953 Filed March 26, 1951 C.M.MUGLER h FOLDING TABLE AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY CGNNECTING THE SAM E TO A SUPPORT 2 SheetsrSheet l Aug. 25, 1953 FOLDING TABLE AND CGNNECTING THE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1951 mmvroa M. MUGL E/P.

CHA/PLES Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING TABLE AND ABLY CONNECTING PORT MEANS FOR DETACH- HE SAME TO A SUP- Charles M. Mugler, North Hollywood, Calif. Application March 26, 1951, Serial N 0. 217,427 Claims. (0]. 31116.5)

This invention relates to tables, and particularly to a table of the foldable type adapted to be collapsed into a relatively flat form for storage purposes. Specifically, the invention pertains to a table structure which is adapted to be folded 0 into a wall recess.

Relatively long narrow tables are used extensively 1n the cafeterias of schools and in rooms groups of people. In some instances, it is deone member forming a flush continuation of the wall surface. Such a table construction and arrangement serves the purpose for which it is designed, that is, to provide a convenient means by which tables can be removed from a floor to the floor. That is to say, since the table is con- Walls. In addition, such tables are devoid of legs at their ends which are connected to the walls so that even if the tables were demountable from the walls their disconnected ends would be unsupported by legs and would fall against the floor.

Stated another way, such prior foldable tables are complete only when attached to a wall, and

it is impossible to utilize them apart from the wall.

It isan object of the present invention to obviate the deficiencies of prior foldable tables dis- Another object is to provide a foldable table having a pair of top sections hinged together the ends and adjacent the hinge connection between the two table sections. A related object is to provide means for maintaining all three longitudinally-spaced pairs of legs vertical in all positions of the foldable sections, that is, when dicular to the floor.

Another object is to provide a foldable table structure in which the end legs are hinged at of the recess for guiding both sections vertically into place in the wall recess. As a particular feature of improvement, the attaching means are releasable to adapt them to be withdrawn from permit use of the table at locations remote from pivotally connected by attaching means are in the form of laterally slidable bolts adapted, when slid outwardly, to slidably engage in the guides and adapted, when slid inwardly, to be withdrawn from the guides to unlock the table and permit separation thereof from the wall.

Another object is to provide locking means on the outer table section engageable-with the sides of the wall recess for retaining the folded table structure within the recess, this means comprising a key-operated locking bolt.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and from the drawings, which are intended for the purpose-of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a small scale perspective view of the present improved folding table construction, the table being shown as folded into a recess in awall;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table construction, showing it unfolded and extending from the wall;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the table, showing it in partly folded condition;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the table, showing it being folded into or unfolded from the wall recess;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the central hinged portion of the table, the table being in open condition;

Fig. 6' is a sectional view, of Fig. 5;

Fig, '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connection between one of the connecting links and a leg of the table;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of one of the releasable connecting means, taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view of the locking means, taken on line 3--9 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a wall closet, illustrating the manner in which the table may be stored therein. I Referring to the drawings in detail, the present improved folding table I is adapted for use either in connection with a wall I l of a cafeteria, auditorium, or other building, as shown in Figs. 1,2, and 3, or by itself, that is, apart from the wall as illustrated in Fig. 3. The foldable table will first be described per se, and. the means adapting it for installation in a wall recess will thereafter bediscussed.

The table H), which forms the subject matter of my application, Serial No. 306,527, filed August 271, 1952,. for Folding Table and Cabinet Construction, said application being a continuationin-part of the present application. Said table includes a pair of top sections 15 and I6 which are preferably, although not necessarily, made from plywood and have a plastic or other hard, heat-resistant and mar-proof surface. Each of the table top sections is shown to be longer than the height of the table. The table sections are reinforced and made more rigid. by means of longitudinally and transversely extending strips and cleats l1 and [8. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the inner ends of the top sections 15 and [6 have angular hinge brackets Ziland 2| secured thereto by suitable means, the hinge brackets having downwardly projecting portions 2| which are a hinge pin or rod 22 extending transversely of the table, it being noted that the hinge pin is disposed below the plane of the table top. By this hinge connection, the top sections l and I6 areadapted to be folded taken on line 5-6 a are spaced from into a substantially parallel, side-by-side relation and to be unfolded to the fully open or coplanar relation shown in Fig. 2 margins in alignment.

Secured against the under side of the top section at a distance from the free end thereof slightly shorter than the desired height of the table is a'pair of hinge brackets to' which is pivoted a first leg means 26. The leg means includes vertical legs 21 connected by a cross-bar 28, the upper ends of the legs being pivoted to the brackets. A second leg means 30, comprising legs 21 and a cross-bar 28, is similarly pivoted to hinge brackets 3! carried by the other top section US. As shown in the drawings, hinge 25 and3l are desirably so disposed that the pivotal axes of the respective leg means 28 and 30 the free ends of the respective distance slightly less than the length of the leg means. Accordingly, the leg means always rest upon the floor in all positions of the table. A third leg means 33 is disposed at the center of the table and includes a pair of legs 34 which are connected by a cross-bar 35, the upper ends of the legs being pivotally connected to the hinge pin or rod 22.

Positioning means are provided for maintaining the leg means 25, 30, and 33 in vertical position, regardless of the relative positions of the table top sections 15 and 16. This means includes a pair of slide elements 31 which. are slidably mounted on the central legs 34. Pivotally connected between pins 38 on the slideelements 31 and transverse pins 39 on' the hinge brackets 20 and 2! are link elements 40. It will be noted that the link elements 40 are pivotally attached to the respective hinge brackets at joints spaced from. the axis 22 of pivotal connection, between the top sections. By this means, the leg means 33 is maintained vertical, that is, it is caused to assume a position in which it bisects the included angle between the sections and to lie parallel 'to the sections when the latter are completely folded together. Connecting links 42 and 43 are pivotally connected between the cross-bar 35 and the respective cross-bars 28 of the leg means 26 and 30, the cross-bars 28 carrying arms 44 and pivot studs 45 for this purpose (Fig. '1). The links 42 and 43 define, with the sections l5, l6, and legs 21, 34, parallelograms which maintain the legs 21 parallel to the legs 34, that is, in a vertical position. The legs 21., 34 and connecting links 42, 43 are preferably made tubular, and these components, in addition to. the hardware therefor, are preferably chromium plated to enhance the appearance of the table and resist corrosion. It is intended' that the present folding table .be movable along a floor, and for the purpose of facilitating such movement the legs are provided with roller means in the form of casters 46.

Assuming that the table is in unfolded condition, that is, with its top sections l5 and I6 coplanar as shown in Fig. 2, although detached from the wall II, the table is supported by the leg'means 26, 35, and 33, and the casters 46.

top sections by a When. in this unfolded relation, the inner pivoted edges of the, sections substantially abut, and since the leg means are connected by the links 42, and 43, which serve as braces, the entire table is exceptionally strong and rigid and will support considerable weight. The table may be readily moved to selected locations by simply rolling it along the floor.

When use of the table is no longer required, it may be stored for future use. In order to conwith their longitudinal ve t a spa ethe table ma be educed to of its axis of rotation are looking bolts 62 which relatively small compass by S mp y fplding its are slidable transversely of the table in bearings roll towardeach other. .Eventually, the sections withdrawn and the table unfolded by reversing to one-half ts ori inal length nd m y be bolts 56 from the guides 53 and roll the unfolded a numbel 0f he ab es m y be stacked one upon Referring now to Fig. 10, it is within the conanothel When a a le 8 to e again Set D for pt of this lnventlon to provide means by which use, It S d d y p y reversing the the folded table may b stored m a Wall closet cedure outlinedabove. 10. As shown in this view, a plurality of foror use in connectlon with i a supp r strips H are 'providedon the floor "I2 and on the member such as a wall of a room. Unllke other header portion 13 of t ciosei; 1n T upper P o y p p d bl s Wh a D and lower strips H cooperate to provide a series nently connected to a wall and foldable into a of upper d l we channels or guideways 15. recess thereof, the instant table, while foldable After a tabie H) has been folded in t into a wall recess, is disconnectible from the wall her previously explained, t moved int the so thatit may be used ei her in a 11031111011 Wherelh closet 10 with its casters 46 rolling on the floor.

in the room. Toadaptthe table to be folded into of the folded table are inserted in the guideways door-frame, the frame thus providing a recess 5! of the guideways may be provided for receiving in the wall. Secured to the inner surfaces of a number ofthe tabies' A suitable door (not the side members 52 of the frame 50, ad acent Shown) may be provided for closing th closet thelower ends thereof, are guides 53 of chan opening so as to conceal the stored tables. shaped cross-se ti n, th armi -be1ng mclmed In accordance with the provisions of the patent slightly from the ver lca statutes, I have described the folding table con- Secured to t l6, adjacent the free d thereof, are brackets 40 best embodiment of my invention but I desire 55 in Which billts 55 are slidable transversely of to have it understood that the construction the table sectio W the table is in the Open shown is only illustrative and that the invention oroperative condition shown in Fig. 2, it may be may be carried t b modified means, connected to the wall by moving the free end of Iciaim as my invention; the section [6 into the wall recess 5| and mov- 1' A fold bl table fo us position, the sole connection between the table ons being foldable from a coplanar relation d the recess 15 by W of the bolts 55 m with their pivoted edges adjacent, to a substanea ement wlth th uide tracks tially parallel sid -by-sid relation; a first leg TO the table into the recess, Cenmeans pivoted to one of said top sect on adjaand the Wall H. During this mov m the 55 cent the free end thereof; a third leg means pivbolts 56 slide do y in the guides 53 and otally mounted on said hinge means of said secserve as pivots for the free end of the section I6. tions; positioning means operafively connected Eventually, the sections I5 and "5 are brought tobetween Said thi leg means a c of said gether, the bolts 56 being disposed adj c n the sections, said positioning means being operative lower ends of the guides-53, the pp f e of 60 to maintain said third leg means vertical at all the section 15 being a d flush With h e positions of said sections; connecting link means of the frame 50, and the legs 21 and 34 being pivotally connected between said third leg means located between the Sections, Shown by full and each of said first and second leg means at lines in Fig. 1 and indicated by the broken lines points disposed equidistantly below said sections, in Fig. 4.

section A suitable key (not shown) inserted 2. A table construction comprising, in combithrough the hole and into the socket maybe nation with a wall recess including horizontally turned to rotate the element 60 Plvotally conspaced, downwardly lncllned side guide tracks nected to the element 60 at points eccentrically a removable folding table having a pair of table acsar tc tQDrSBCtiOIlS, each of saidsections being an elongated rectangle in plan, said sections being hingedly connected together with their longitudinal margins in alignment and capable of assuming a coplanar relation when the table is extended; supporting leg structure means pivotally connected to each of the top sections; means for maintaining said leg structures in vertical planes during folding. and unfolding of said top sections; each of said top sections being longer than.- the height of the table when in extended position supported by the said leg structures; track-engaging means extending beyond the longitudinal margins of a top section adjacent its'freewend' and constituting the sole connection between the table and wallrecess during folding and unfolding ofthe table; and means for disengaging said: track-engaging means whereby the table may be removed from the wall recess while supported solely by the said leg structures.

3. A table-construction comprising, in combination with a wall recess including horizontally spa-ceddownwardly inclined side guide tracks: a removable folding table having a pair of table top sections, each of said sections being an elongated rectangle in plan, said sections being hingedly connected together with their longitudinal margins in alignment, to assume a coplanar relation when the table is extended; a supporting leg structure pivotally connected to eachof the top sections near its free end; a third leg structure carried by the table adjacent the hinged connection between said top sections; means for maintaining said leg structures in vertical planes during folding and unfolding of saidtop-sections; each of said top section being longer than the height of the table when in extended position supported by the said leg structures; track-engaging means extending beyond the longitudinal margins of a top section adjacent its free end and constituting the-sole connection between the table and wall recess during folding and unfolding of the table; and means for disengaging said track-engaging means whereby the table may be removed from the wall recess while supported solely by the said leg structures.

4. A foldable table for use with a vertical support having a pair of spaced opposing virtually vertical track guides comprising: a pair of elongated, rectangular top sections, said sections being hingedly connected together with their longitudinal margin in alignment, said top sections being foldable from a position where the top sections are in parallel planes to an extended position wherein said top sections are coplanar; a first leg structure pivoted to one of the top sections near the free end thereof, a second leg structure pivoted to the other top section near the free end thereof, a third leg structure carried by the table near the hinged connection between said top sections; a leg structure positioning means including translating means pivotally connected to an end portion of a top section and spaced from the axis of hinged connection between said top sections for maintaining one of said leg structures substantially vertical during folding movement of said top sections, and connecting links extending between said first, second and third leg structures and pivotally attached thereto at points spaced equidistantly below said top sections for maintaining all of said leg structures in substantially parallel relation; guide track-engaging means extending be yond. the longitudinal margins of. a top section adjacent'its free end,'.said"track-engaging means extending into the virtually vertical track guides and control the course of pivotal and slidable movement of said free end during folding. and unfolding movement of the table, said trackengaging means constituting. the sole connection between the table and wall recess during folding and unfolding of the table; and means for disengaging said track-engaging meanswhereby the table may be released from said recess intoextended position supported by the leg structures.

5. A foldable table for usewith averticalsup port having a pair of spaced, opposing, virtually vertical track guides comprising: a pair of elongated, rectangular top sections, said sectionsbe ing hingedly connected together with their longitudinal margins in alignment, said top sections being foldable from a position where the top sections are in parallel planes to an extended position wherein said: top sections are coplanar; a first leg structure pivoted to one of the top sections at a point spaced from the free end thereof a distance slightly less than the length of the leg structure, a second leg structure pivotally connected to the other top section near the free end thereof,.a third leg structure carried by the table adjacent the hinged connection between said top sections; leg structure positioning means including translating meanspivotally' connected to an end portion of a top section-and spaced from the axis of hinged connectionbetween said top sections and slidably connected to one of said leg structures for maintaining said leg structure substantially vertical duringfoldin'g movement of said top sections, and connecting links extending between said first, second and third leg structures and pivotally attached thereto at points spaced equidistantly below said top sections for maintaining all said leg structures in substantially parallel relation; track-engaging means extending beyond the longitudinal margins of a top section adjacent its free end and constituting the sole connection between the table and wall recess during folding and unfolding of the table; and means for disengaging said track-engaging means whereby the table may be removed from the wall recess while supported by the said leg structures.

HARLES M. MUGLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 925,397 Snyder June 15,1909 1,185,759 DuPont et a1 June 6, 1916 1,272,983 Menzo' July 16, 1918 1,576,034 Butt Mar. 9, 1926 1,611,391 Teich Dec. 21, 1926 1,632,268 Berry June 14, 1927 1,808,305 Howe June 2, 1931 1,948,738 Thayer Feb. 27, 1934 2,131,675 Schieber Sept. 27, 1938 2,158,950 Swett May 16, 1939 2,203,394 Schieber June 4, 1940 2,226,735 7 Miller Dec. 31, 1940 2,440,131 Wayne Apr. 20, 1948 2,514,319 Erickson July 4, 1 950 2,521,547 Simonowitz Sept. 5, 1950 2,545,064 Alch Mar. 13, 1951 2,546,323 Taylor Mar. 27,, 1951 

